An Iowa unit is at Fort Hood, the scene of a shooting where three people were killed and 16 other injured.

An Iowa unit is at Fort Hood, the scene of a shooting where three people were killed and 16 other injured.

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Updated: 6:22 PM CDT Apr 3, 2014

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WEBVTT Family members of the Ames Army reserve unit tell us they were two blocks away from the shooting. Ben Jordan talked to one family about the scary situation. Ben? wx wall) The 38 members of the unit returned to the country just 24 hours before the shooting. One family member tells us waiting hours to find out his loved one was safe felt like days. "IT WAS HARD TO CONCENTRATE. I HAD A LOT OF STUFF TO DO THAT EVENING AND JUST SITTING HERE THINKING WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO MY SISTER." Chris Anderson's sister, Staff Sergeant Lacy Anderson was just getting back from deployment. Her Army Reserve Unit spent 10 months touring the Middle East providing veterinarian assistance and food service inspection. They were back at Fort Hood taking classes to help the transition back to everyday life. "WE'RE EXPECTING THEM TO BE HOME ANY DAY NOW AND EVENTS HAPPEN IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE." The shooting that claimed 4 lives, injuring 14 others didn't involve anyone from the Ames unit. "THEY WERE ALL SAFE, THEY WERE ABOUT 2 BLOCKS AWAY FROM WHERE THE EVENTS ARE." the 38 members were on lockdown for 5 hours, but during the tight security their unit commander notified family and friends that the entire unit was safe on facebook. A message Chris was waiting an hour and a half for. "JUST THAT FINAL MESSAGE THAT EVERYBODY IN THE GROUP WAS OK REALLY JUST KIND OF SET IT AT EASE AND MADE IT EASIER TO SLEEP AT NIGHT." Chris says his sister's safety was always in the back of his mind while she was deployed overseas. He never thought he had to worry when she's back in the United States. "YOU THINK THEY'RE SAFE AND SOUND BEING AT AN ARMY BASE AND OBVIOUSLY IT'S NOT THE CASE." After 10 months and the close call at Fort Hood, Chris can't wait to see his sister again. "IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT YOU KNOW. IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME." wx wall) The Ames Army reserve unit is expected to return to Iowa next week, but that could change after this shooting. Captain Chad Nixon told us unit members will come

Families of Iowans at Fort Hood react to shooting

An Iowa unit is at Fort Hood, the scene of a shooting where three people were killed and 16 other injured.